The Polder Model in Action
Ever heard of the Dutch polder model? It’s a political term referring to consensus decision-making in the Netherlands, but it’s used in organizations too.
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Why are NY bagels so good? And some tips
When other people anticipate a trip to New York City, they might think about fine dining. What’s the latest new cuisine to taste? Which famous chef should we try? Where do we need to make a reservation? Or they may be looking for “ethnic” food: Chinese, for example, or Cuban, or Cuban-Chinese (yes, that’s a…
7 Little House on the Prairie locations you can visit
“Once upon a time, sixty years ago, a little girl lived in the Big Woods of Wisconsin, in a little gray house made of logs.” This is the first line of the first book in what became know as the Little House on the Prairie series. If you were ever a fan of the books…
The Liberation Route Europe: WWII battlefields and more
If World War II interests you, the Liberation Route Europe is something you could easily build a European vacation around. It traces how the Allies advanced through Europe to retake it from the Germans. Click on any of the 10 countries listed on the Liberation Route’s website and you’ll find dozens of sites marked. The…
The New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn
With its bewilderingly complicated passages, dank smell, bare concrete floors, tangles of pipes and conduits, and the rumbling roar that shakes the ground and then fades, the New York City subway system doesn’t win any prizes for beauty. It’s immense, though, and remarkably fast and efficient, and can take passengers within a few blocks of…
Nuremberg Documentation Center
Note: This is a guest post by LeAnna Brown. There are so many things to do in Nuremberg, whether it be visiting the famous Christkind Weihnachtsmarkt, or just walking the Altstadt, which is why it is one of our favorite day trips from Munich. There are also some great day trips you can take from Nuremburg….
Sustainable air travel: What you can do
Have you ever been offered to buy a carbon offset when you booked a flight? If so, did you buy it? We all know that flying is bad for the environment. According to Our World in Data, aviation produces about 2.5% of all CO2 emissions, a greenhouse gas which contributes to global warming. Making it…
A weekend in Atlanta: Beyond “Gone with the Wind”
If you mention Atlanta to me, I picture Gone with the Wind: stately rows of homes in the city, antebellum mansions in the countryside. Fragile, pale white women wear corsets and bell-shaped skirts. They fan themselves in the sticky heat while they gossip and complain. In the background, enslaved blacks work ungodly hours to help…
Things to do on Marco Island, Florida
Work is exhausting, you need a break, and you have some vacation time coming to you. You decide you want a nice, relaxing beach vacation: nothing to do but lie on a beach lounger with a drink in your hand. After some googling, you hit on a place you’ve never heard of before: Marco Island,…
Free or cheap things to do in Santa Cruz, California
The best part about visiting a beach town is that it is incredibly easy to stay on a budget! For Santa Cruz, California, the only required expenses are your accommodation, a rental car, food, and parking. Note: The following is a guest post by Dayna Brockbank. There are plenty of free things to do in…
Heeswijk Castle near Den Bosch
I’ve written about two contrasting castles in the Netherlands before: Muiderslot and Castle de Haar. Muiderslot is the archetypal medieval castle: square with towers in each corner and crenellated walls between them. Castle de Haar, on the other hand, is far more ornate. Meant to look medieval, only more so, it was actually built in…
Falun Copper Mine UNESCO site in Sweden
“It’s a big hole in the ground.” I think “underwhelmed” is a good word for my first impression of the Falun Copper Mine in eastern Sweden. We were on our way south on a road trip from the northernmost part of Norway back home to the Netherlands after our Hurtigruten cruise up the Norwegian coast….
11+ Best things to do in Martinique
Martinique has it all – pristine beaches, secluded bays, scenic hikes, and panoramic views. Note: This is a guest post by Christine Rogador. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. These links can earn me (Rachel) a small commission, but this will not affect your price. If you’re looking for a unique holiday destination in the…
The Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland, Sweden
Some UNESCO sites aren’t famous works of architecture like Himeji Castle in Japan or the 16th century canal ring of Amsterdam, for example, or ancient historical monuments like Petra in Jordan or Baalbek in Lebanon. Some are more modest, less showy, and exemplify local culture and crafts. The Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland, Sweden, are a…
7 Things to do in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland
7 Things to do in Thingvellir National Park (properly: Þingvellir), a UNESCO-listed site with historical & geological significance for Iceland. Home of Iceland’s first parliament and also the place where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet on dry land!
Exploring the Brunei rainforest: Ulu Temburong
The Brunei rainforest in Ulu Temburong National Park was probably one of the most – to use the cliché – off-the-beaten-path places I’ve ever been. Especially when you consider there’s no actual “path” to get there! Brunei, a tiny country on the north coast of Borneo, is surrounded by Malaysia on three sides and the…
How to be respectful when you travel
When I was traveling in Parvati Valley and then on my Manali trip in the Indian Himalayas, I was surprised to see how many travelers, both local and foreigners, boasted that they were great explorers and were staying in the Himalayas for months. Note: This is a guest post by Priyanka Gupta. Disclosure: This article contains Amazon affiliate links….
Free walking tour of Reykjavik by City Walk: A review
A review of the free walking tour of Reykjavik offered by City Walk. Such tours are a great introduction when you first arrive in a new city. walking tour | reykjavik | iceland
Ostia Antica: The Perfect Day Trip from Rome
Just 30 kilometers away from Rome is Ostia Antica, one of the most well-preserved ancient cities in Italy and a perfect day trip from Rome. NOTE: This article is a guest post by Alexandrina Nickolova. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a…
Troll Expeditions Iceland glacier hike
The Troll Expeditions Iceland glacier hike was, for my husband, a highlight of our trip around Iceland. Read here about his experience, including a first try at climbing an ice wall.
Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) updated
In the five years since I last wrote about Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) things have changed, mostly for the better. Black Pete is disappearing.
3-week Iceland itinerary: the best Iceland road trip!
This comprehensive, extremely detailed 3-week Iceland itinerary is all you need for the best Iceland road trip!
North Beach neighborhood guide: A local’s favorite things to do
North Beach in a sentence: strange history, charm and some of the best Italian food in San Francisco. The following article is a guest post by Kara Harms of Whimsy Soul. Disclosure: This North Beach neighborhood guide contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small…
Iceland waterfalls that are easy to reach from the ring road
There are so many Iceland waterfalls that you couldn’t possibly see them all. Here are 12 that are easy to reach from the ring road.
Best hot springs in Iceland and how to choose
Iceland has lots of pools and baths that are heated geothermically. Read here about the best hot springs in Iceland and how to choose which one to visit!
Icelandic turf houses: Laufas, Glaumbaer and others
Few Icelandic turf houses still exist, but the few that do give a glimpse of how Icelanders used to live. Read about two special ones here: Laufas and Glaumbaer (and a few others)!
Husavik whale watching with North Sailing
Our Husavik whale watching trip with North Sailing didn’t go quite as I’d hoped. The weather was terrible, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
Reykjadalur hot spring thermal river, Iceland
Reykjadalur hot spring thermal river is without a doubt worth the hike. How often do you get a chance to experience a hot river?
Skogar, Iceland, and what to see there
Travelers stop in Skogar, Iceland, to see gorgeous Skogafoss waterfall. But there are other, equally worthwhile things to see in Skogar! Read here about the other, less-known waterfall, and a surprisingly good three-part museum.
Things to do in Heimaey island, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
Things to do in Heimaey island, off the southern coast of Iceland: a small place with dramatic scenery and a dramatic history to match.
Aviodrome Lelystad, an aviation museum
For a fearful flyer like me, airplanes hold a certain fascination. It can seem an absolute miracle that something so big and heavy can actually get off the ground. And then, of course, there are flying enthusiasts. Those fortunate people actually enjoy their time aloft, taking pictures out the window or just dropping off to…
What to do in Den Bosch, a.k.a. ’s-Hertogenbosch
Our first bit of travel, as the pandemic seemed to subside here in the Netherlands, was a simple weekend away in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, generally referred to as Den Bosch. It’s only a few hours from home, and I had to be near there for a couple of days to lead a workshop anyway. My husband and…